NEW figures show the beauty business is booming in Swindon.

Since 2010 the number of hairdressers, barbers and nail bars has risen from 65 to 105, an increase of 62 per cent.

While high street retailers are being hit by customers shopping online, businesses that provide services are proving more resilient.

House of Fraiser has been the latest store in Swindon to announce it will close the store in November, after failed negotiations on the lease. This follows the closure of Poundland, Homebase and Toys 'R' Us since March.

Lucy Stainton, head of retail at the Local Data Company, a business that tracks retail occupancy rates, said that one reason for the success of the beauty sector was that it provided a more affordable treat for consumers.

"When money is tight people still want to treat themselves and getting your nails done is a way to do that without spending a larger amount of money on clothes," she said.

"These sorts of things can't be done online, so people looking for experiences will help the high street."

Across the UK the number of beauty treatment salons rocketed from nearly 27,000 in 2010 to 43,000 in 2017, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.